Of Western Samoan parents, left-arm fast-medium bowler Murphy Su'a's career came alive after two medicocre seasons with Northern Districts when he moved to Auckland. In his first season (1990-91) he grabbed 28 wickets in nine matches, winning his Test call-up against England the following summer when he took eight wickets in two games. That was followed by successful tours to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, and a Test-best 5 for 73 against Pakistan at Hamilton in January 1993. But thereafter he struggled, taking 5 for 434 in four Tests against Australia, and drifted out of the reckoning. His cause was not helped by mood swings and clashes with some senior members of the side.
Martin Williamson